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Sarah Patterson honored with University of Alabama plaza

Softball coach Patrick Murphy, left, gymnastics coach Sarah Patterson, mens golf coach Jay Seawell and women's golf coach Mic Potter, right, were on hand for the opening of the Sarah Patterson Champions Plaza on the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. The plaza, which recognizes University of Alabama national championship teams and coaches throughout the years, will officially open to the public Friday.

Dusty Compton | The Tuscaloosa News

By Aaron SuttlesSports Writer

Published: Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 11:30 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 11:30 p.m.

When she took the job 35 years ago, Sarah Patterson, then Sarah Campbell, never imagined where her career would take her. She had big dreams, but she never dreamed this big.

“I had a lot of dreams when I started coaching. I never dreamt of anything quite like this,” Patterson said. “David and I have had just an amazing career here at the university. To be in coaching and to have stayed in one place for 35 years ... I think that's quite an accomplishment in itself.

“Certainly this weekend is quite spectacular for me because I get to share it with the other coaches and the championship tradition that we have now in all sports, but also because my high school coach (Jo Childs) will be here and then my college coach (Cheryl Levick), who is now the AD at Georgia State and started the football program at Georgia State, will be with me as well. So the two women that had the most influence on my career will be here with me.”

The plaza recognizes all sports at the university and includes busts of each coach to win an NCAA championship.

Seawell, who won his national title earlier this year, said it's an honor to be there with his friends.

“We've all been here a long time. We all have the same vision and that's the love of our players and the love of the University of Alabama,” Seawell said. “To be here with Pat and Sarah and Mic, to get a chance to do this together, to me, makes it even more special.”

The idea for the plaza came directly from former director of athletics Mal Moore, who summoned Patterson, Seawell and Potter to his office in the spring of 2012 to discuss the plans.

Moore wanted to honor Patterson's career at the university, but also wanted a place for all of the former athletes. At the time, Patterson was the only coach to win a NCAA Championship. After that meeting, Potter, Murphy and Seawell won titles.

“It was a confluence of events — great coaches, great people, great administration — to get us to this point,” Potter said.

Patterson said it's amazing how much women's athletics and sports at the university have grown in her 35 years.

“It's hard to even express,” she said. “If you look at what we had back then and then you look at Coleman Coliseum now and the facilities that all our sports have now. The weight room we all have access to. The academic center that stands first and foremost in my mind. I could not have imagined 35 years ago that it would be like this. I imagined winning, but I never imagined this.”

Seawell said the years will see more names added to the wall, more championships won.

“Down the road 30 or 40 years that's going to have a whole bunch of faces on there, but the first four up there are really good friends,” he said. “That's what makes it special.”

Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron.suttles@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0229.

<p>When she took the job 35 years ago, Sarah Patterson, then Sarah Campbell, never imagined where her career would take her. She had big dreams, but she never dreamed this big.</p><p>Patterson, the University of Alabama six-time national championship winning gymnastics coach, will be honored today with the dedication of the Sarah Patterson Champions Plaza today at 4 p.m.</p><p>Patterson will be honored beside her NCAA champion colleagues Patrick Murphy (softball), Mic Potter (women's golf) and Jay Seawell (men's golf). UA president Judy Bonner and Director of Athletics Bill Battle are scheduled to speak.</p><p>“I had a lot of dreams when I started coaching. I never dreamt of anything quite like this,” Patterson said. “David and I have had just an amazing career here at the university. To be in coaching and to have stayed in one place for 35 years ... I think that's quite an accomplishment in itself. </p><p>“Certainly this weekend is quite spectacular for me because I get to share it with the other coaches and the championship tradition that we have now in all sports, but also because my high school coach (Jo Childs) will be here and then my college coach (Cheryl Levick), who is now the AD at Georgia State and started the football program at Georgia State, will be with me as well. So the two women that had the most influence on my career will be here with me.”</p><p>The plaza recognizes all sports at the university and includes busts of each coach to win an NCAA championship.</p><p>Seawell, who won his national title earlier this year, said it's an honor to be there with his friends.</p><p>“We've all been here a long time. We all have the same vision and that's the love of our players and the love of the University of Alabama,” Seawell said. “To be here with Pat and Sarah and Mic, to get a chance to do this together, to me, makes it even more special.”</p><p>The idea for the plaza came directly from former director of athletics Mal Moore, who summoned Patterson, Seawell and Potter to his office in the spring of 2012 to discuss the plans.</p><p>Moore wanted to honor Patterson's career at the university, but also wanted a place for all of the former athletes. At the time, Patterson was the only coach to win a NCAA Championship. After that meeting, Potter, Murphy and Seawell won titles.</p><p>“It was a confluence of events — great coaches, great people, great administration — to get us to this point,” Potter said.</p><p>Patterson said it's amazing how much women's athletics and sports at the university have grown in her 35 years.</p><p>“It's hard to even express,” she said. “If you look at what we had back then and then you look at Coleman Coliseum now and the facilities that all our sports have now. The weight room we all have access to. The academic center that stands first and foremost in my mind. I could not have imagined 35 years ago that it would be like this. I imagined winning, but I never imagined this.”</p><p>Seawell said the years will see more names added to the wall, more championships won.</p><p>“Down the road 30 or 40 years that's going to have a whole bunch of faces on there, but the first four up there are really good friends,” he said. “That's what makes it special.”</p><p>Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron.suttles@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0229.</p>